Biography

Working with and for young children has always been a passion, which was fulfilled when I graduated as a Teacher specialising in the Early Years phase. I have worked across a variety of UK schools in the Foundation Stage, KS1 and 2, and as a specialist teacher in the USA. Studying my masters showed me the many facets of Early Childhood Studies and how essential it is to ensure the best outcomes for children and their families. I am particularly interested in working mothers and how Early Years practice can best support them within the current social context.

Qualifications

Award

Title

Institution

Date

BEd (Hons)

Primary Education, specialism in Art and Design 3-8 phase

University of Worcester

1997

PGCert

Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education

University of Gloucestershire

2009

MEd (Dist)

Masters in Early Years

University of Gloucestershire

2015

PGCert

Postgraduate Certificate in Research Methods

University of Gloucestershire

2017

Accreditation

Qualified Teachers Status

Awards

Higher Education Academy Teaching Fellow

Membership of professional bodies

Fellow of the Higher Education Academy

Teaching and research

Teaching

Professional Practice in Early Years

Leadership and Management

Creativity and Thinking

Sociology of childhood

Research methods

Lifelong learning and tutoring for EYITT

Level

Undergraduate, Postgraduate

Research

Previous research has been on Mother's perceptions of support groups. Current PhD focus is a study of mature, professional mothers' experience of motherhood and childcare to inform Early Years practice: an interpretive phenomenological analysis. Professional higher education focus is upon ECS graduate experiences of using their ECS degree within an international context.

External responsibilities

Academic Link Tutor: Gloucestershire College Early Years Studies FdA

Academic Link Tutor: Norland College, Bath Early Years Development and Learning BA Hons